Rep. Will Penterman

Maddy summaryAB 292 allows courts to use artificial intelligence or machine-assisted translation services instead of or alongside human interpreters in both civil and criminal court proceedings. It also updates rules to permit telephone or live audiovisual interpretation in criminal trials (beyond just non-trial stages) and clarifies that using AI translation does not require a waiver that would normally be needed for alternative interpretation methods. This bill directly affects court proceedings involving language barriers, expanding options for language assistance without mandating AI use. The law amends specific statutes to implement these changes, focusing on procedural flexibility for courts.

Maddy summaryAB 163 requires regular eligibility reviews for the Medical Assistance program (a public health benefits program) every six months, replacing automatic renewals. Recipients must report changes affecting their benefits within 10 days or face a six-month loss of coverage. The bill mandates state agencies to cross-check public benefit databases against death records and other state databases (like employment or prison records) every three months to remove deceased individuals and verify eligibility. It also establishes data-sharing agreements between agencies to confirm applicant information using sources like federal benefit records, with all eligibility reviews required to be completed by January 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryAB 300 creates a state grant program to help local law enforcement agencies purchase automated license plate reader systems (high-speed cameras that scan plates and convert data for law enforcement use). The program requires at least half of the grant funds to go to agencies in rural areas (defined as cities/towns under 20,000 population, at least 15 miles from larger cities). Agencies must submit a spending plan to the Department of Justice for review before receiving grants, which are limited to public safety and crime prevention purposes. The bill does not apply to state-level agencies or require specific outcomes, focusing solely on funding access for local rural and urban law enforcement.

Maddy summaryAB 40 establishes a competitive grant program to fund school safety improvements and security training for school personnel. It allocates $30 million for the 2025-26 fiscal year to public, private, and tribal schools, with a maximum grant of $20,000 per school. The program prioritizes schools that have not previously received similar grants under Section 165.88 and requires annual reports to the Joint Committee on Finance. Grants must be awarded by June 30, 2027, after which no new funding will be issued.

Maddy summaryAJR 8 proposes a constitutional amendment to limit the governor's partial veto power on budget bills. It would prevent the governor from rejecting small parts of a bill (like single words or sentences) and require that any vetoed section must be a complete, standalone law that can function independently. The bill specifically targets appropriation bills, restricting the governor to vetoing entire sections that are capable of separate enactment. This is a proposed constitutional change, not a law, and would need voter approval to take effect. The amendment aims to reduce the governor's ability to alter budget bills through partial vetoes.

Maddy summaryAB 286 redirects $172 million in interest earned from unused coronavirus state and local fiscal recovery funds to the general state fund. It applies to funds held under specific state appropriations (section 20.505(1)(mb)) that were not spent by the deadline. The bill transfers this interest directly to the general fund on its effective date, rather than allowing it to remain in the recovery fund. This is a procedural adjustment to reallocate existing interest earnings, not a new funding program.

Maddy summaryAB 297 creates performance grants for regional probation and parole offices based on improving employment rates for individuals on supervision (probation, parole, or extended supervision). Offices earn grants by increasing employment rates above a 2021-2024 baseline, with "eligible employment" defined as 130+ wage-earning hours monthly. Funds must be used for employee bonuses, and the department tracks outcomes like employment duration, recidivism rates, and cost savings tied to reduced incarceration. Offices are disqualified from grants if their region saw increased revocations for new crimes in the prior year. Annual reports will detail regional employment trends and program impacts for public transparency.

Maddy summaryAB 298 creates grants for technical colleges to develop and share digital maps of their buildings with local law enforcement. It requires these "interactive critical mapping data" systems to include specific details like building numbers, floors, and room locations - without needing additional software purchases by first responders. The grants, administered by the Office of School Safety, aim to improve emergency response coordination during incidents. This directly affects technical colleges (via district boards) and law enforcement agencies that receive the mapping data.

Maddy summaryAB 172 creates a new consumer data protection law by defining key terms like "personal data," "biometric data," "sale of personal data," and "consumer" in section 100.80 of the statutes. This bill directly affects businesses that collect or process personal data of state residents, requiring them to follow standardized handling practices for such data. The law includes penalty provisions for violations, though specific penalty amounts and enforcement details are not provided in the available bill text.

Maddy summaryAB 171 allows Wisconsin judicial officers (such as judges) to request privacy protections for their personal information, including home addresses and secondary residences, from public disclosure. The bill requires government agencies and land records websites to remove such information from public records within 10 business days after receiving a notarized written request from a judicial officer. It defines specific criteria for third parties (like title companies or entities with confidentiality agreements) to access protected records under limited circumstances. This law directly affects judicial officers' privacy by creating a formal process to shield their personal details from public view, while maintaining access for authorized entities under defined conditions.